Well bro, certainly Spain is a great team on the paper, but on the field seems overrated. Couldn't make it through the Confederations Cup, and now it's still struggling. Today could be a fluke, but as a short 3 game classifiyng WC, now they'll have 2 make or break games. Spain may defeat Honduras (if tie = out) and then will have a hard time against a good Chile team. (IF) Qualifying for the playoffs they'll face Portugal, Brazil or Ivory Coast...another hard match, IDK.. I just don't feel Spain has an easy path. I could be wrong, but thats just how I see it now.
Also think Italy is the second tier, don't think the US is ahead of them though. Bring on the second games ...
maybe, but it may be that it takes a certain type of team to beat them. not every team can successfully turtle and be about to get by the spanish defenders on a few chances. the US was able to do it in a similar way. and you need to have your keeper be rock solid
That Diego Forlan was indeed the best player on the field in that RSA for URU game. Not surprised the Swiss beat Spain, but I see both teams advancing out of that group regardless... Spain vs Brazil in the round of 16 is looking likely... now that is a heck of an early elimination match...
Damn. What is it Spain? Them and England are just cursed in the World Cup. After the first game I would say Germany looked the most impressive. We'll see how the second games play out. See which teams are able to shake off the cobwebs
He injured his knee with about 10 games to go for Liverpool, had an operation and played a half last week against Egypt, hence him being on the bench.
Essentially Spain dominated the game, possession, shots, etc., but Hitzfeld set the Swiss up to defend from the front; 5 in midfield, one up top with no ambition and essentially said to Spain 'beat us on half a pitch', which is what happened. When you cram 21 players into one half of a pitch you're going to find it very hard to score. It happened two seasons ago for Liverpool at Anfield. Teams would come with one up front and defend from the kick off and force us to break them down using one half of the pitch. So whilst the Spanish moved the ball around with Xabi Alonso as the fulcrum, they simply couldn't break the Swiss down. The goal came from the Swiss keeper's kick and that was about the only attack the Swiss had save for when they hit the post which was more down to individual skill than anything. Spain's problem will be that Honduras will do the same. Spain/Chile will be an excellent game because the Chileans really fancy themselves in this competition. Doesn't matter what team you have - and God knows, Spain have the best 23 players in the tournament - but if you're forced to play that way, chances are few and far between. The Spanish looked much better when Torres came on, they dropped Xavi deeper and they pushed Jesus Navas wide right and he played really well. They'll be fine.
Dude, you make it seem as t hough America is the only country with sporting options or any other options come to think of it.
not watching this game at work.....How are the Argentinians fairing...I see that Maxi got the start today... update.....obviously good......
I played and I think they play the drama card waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy toooooooo much. They take shots and stuff but yeah the flopping is bordering on making them appear as ****s. I won't call them that though as like I've stated before I'm not the one out there taking the shots.
The comparison was with American kids and South American kids. In europe the best leagues are local and they are not asked to cross the atlantic at 18-20 years old.
IMO...(don't kill me) The diving doesn't bother me..and actually tells me that they care. It is part of the game. You are trying to get certain calls to prevent certain challenges. It is a mirror image of what happens in basketball. Except that in Basketball, taking a "charge" is considered "scrappy, brave, crafty."
BTW...for the US to get that 1st tier treatment...the mission is simple... dismantle SLovenia and Algeria. Then be competiive vs. Germany...or beat Ghana.
You are right Boom, they all played football, wrestling, hockey, basketball....I understand where they are coming from...I to hate the diving aspect of it, not all, but alot of times if they fought through it, they would find themselves in space and the advantage... He isnt talking about sporting options I dont think, but rather options that take away from sports in general....PS3's/xbox, computers, cars, jobs, cellphones, etc etc etc growing up in the 80's we always walked around the neighborhoods with a football/basketball in our hands, and we were out from 8am-7pm just playing sports in the summer....there were no cellphones, computers, jobs, crazy 1080p videogames....everything was dot matrix and basic... there are more opportunities in countries like America/England etc to do other things than dedicate urself to soccer or any sport for that matter that be said boom, it is no excuse whatsoever, you play cuz you love it, I started at 3, and played until my last year in college.....and loved every minute of it...
I need to go to Brazil 2014, Boomer you coming??? Dead serious...my buddy and I are planning it.....it is like the UN of poosy!!!!
gotta say...if this is the football that will be played in this WC judging by these second round matches.... Then we have something.... BTW...in the France/Mexico match...what do I root for? Meteor strike in the stadium?
ehhhh I mean no not Mexico, and Boom might lop ur head off if u go with France.....either way.....awful choice..
No. I would be drunk and arrested for groping. WTF has gotten into Greece? Don't they know that they can;t score? Greece is applying actual pressure.
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooalllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hot damn tamale Ahab, that brunette is gorgeous. I'm not a huge soccer fan, but that Brazilian goal into the left side pocket was a thing of beauty.
gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nigeria is terrible....keep kicking those elementary long balls and trying to outrun everybody....u deserve to bow out...dont even show for the last game
OT: I went to the Nas and Damian concert in O-Town and it was kick ***. Damian's lyrics are top of the line, as well as Nas'.
Just saw the highlight of Greece's third goal. I must say, all of the complaints this year about the ball are warranted. Goalies complained, forwards complained, complaints from every nation. Terrible that an unpredictable swerve or reaction from bounces can be the difference between a clean save or a rebound, or a tie and a loss.
I don;t know how old you are...but I can remember as far back as the 90' world cup having complaints about the ball. I remember the conspiracy theories that the 1994 ball was designed to allow more goals so the american fans would get into the game. I tend to just ignore those complaints.
